4. Managing People Performance Flashcards
What is the psychological contract?
The psychological contract refers to the unwritten, intangible agreement between an employee and their employer that describes the informal commitments, expectations and understandings that make up their relationship.
What are the commitments on the part of the employee in regards to the psychological contract?
To be honest, work hard, be loyal and develop their skills
What are the commitments on the part of the employer in regards to the psychological contract?
To be treat employees with respect, to provide job security, to give opportunity for development and promotion
What is power?
The ability to get something done
What are the 5 categories of power?
- Legitimate (position)
- Referent (charisma)
- Expert (skill)
- Reward
- Coercive (penalise/punish)
What is authority?
The right to do something - a type of legitimate power
What are the 3 categories of authority?
- Traditional
- Rational-legal
- Charismatic
What is delegation?
The passing of authority to another party, but NOT the passing of responsibility
What are the 4 types of delegation?
- Consultation
- Explanation (instructs and guides)
- Abdication
- Custom and practise
What are Koontz and O’Donnell’s 3 conditions for effective delegation?
- Clear definition of subordinate’s authority
- Evidence of sufficient competence
- Not constantly checking on the subordinate
What is responsibility?
The obligation an individual has to fulfil a task that they have been given
What is accountability?
The holding of an individual to account for the completion of tasks allocated to them
What is empowerment?
Transferring power to those actually involved in completing a task and giving the freedom to make decisions
What 5 interlinking initiatives often happen alongside empowerment?
- Flexibility
- Reduced hierarchy
- Fewer middle managers
- Reduced bureaucracy
- Willingness to embrace trust and less control
What is bureaucracy?
Where power is defined precisely by the rules that govern actions, with formal processes and hierarchies
What did Weber state about Bureaucracy?
It is inevitable as companies grow
What was Fayol’s theory of management?
Classical theory - 5 functions of management
Planning Organizing Commanding Co-ordinating Controlling
What was Taylor’s theory of management?
Scientific - every task had a scientific, best way to do it and a best person for the job
What was Trist and Bamforth’s contribution to management theory?
Findings that showed that Taylorism lead to individuals being ignored, poor communication and bad feelings towards management
What was Mayo’s contribution to management theory
The Hawthorne effect - work satisfaction depends to a large extent on social relationships, and performance increase happens when people are given attention
What is the contingency theory classification of management theories?
The theory says that an effectiveness of management is contingent and is dependent upon internal and external environment - no one best way
What was Burns and Stalker’s contribution to management theory?
Distinction between mechanistic (clear definition of roles and responsibilities) and Organic (individuals, problem solving and a commitment to growth) companies
Which management theorists worked on a contingent theory of management?
Burns and Stalker
What are the 3 roles Mintzberg defined for a manager?
- Interpersonal (figurehead, leader, liaison)
- Informational (monitoring, spokesperson, disseminator)
- Decisional (entrepreneur, disturbance handler, resource allocator, negotiator)
